Metro Schools makes new push to test lead in drinking water

To ensure safe water, Metro Public School buildings will be testing all drinking fountains to verify they do not contain elevated levels of lead.

Due to water quality concerns around the country, Metro Schools initiated a water quality testing program.

Metro Schools is the first and only district in the state to test for lead. The schools said it’s a voluntary program not required by any federal, state or city requirement.

“Checking the drinking water in our buildings is the right thing to do for children and for our employees,” Executive Director of Facility and Grounds Maintenance Dennis Neal said. “It is something we wanted to do and felt we needed to do.”

The testing program began last year. The district announced first phase results in June.

Schools tested last year will be retested, Metro Schools said.

The second phase of testing for this school year was scheduled to start in August, but this new initiative to test the water will act as a replacement.